10 practices to boost skin health

People spend a fortune on cosmetics and skincare regimens, desperately trying to evade Father Time and his inevitable march across your face—not to mention the rest of your body. What we fail to realise is that skin is an extension and an expression of our state of inner health—and what we have been doing to ourselves.

 

Unhealthy eating habits, alcohol and tobacco use, and keeping late nights will inevitably take their toll on you and on your skin. What can be done to turn back the clock and reveal your younger, more youthful version of yourself once more?

 

What does your skin do for you?

 

Our skin is the most extensive organ in the body, making up over 1/7th of our body weight overall. Your skin has many different functions, including:

• Acting as a protective barrier between you and the outside world
• Helping you to regulate your body temperature in different environments
• Acting as a storehouse of nutrients and water that the body may need later

 

With so many essential functions performed by this wonder organ, it seems that keeping our skin in tip top shape should be an essential part of overall health and wellness. How can we boost skin health, and thank it for all of the wear and tear it takes on our behalf? 

 

 

The following practices are not just for your face, they are for your “total package”—all of the glorious skin that covers your bones, muscles, and all of those other unsavory parts of you we’d rather not have a full view of. Let’s pay homage to our largest organ and begin to care for it and improve its health with these stellar care practices:

 

1. Drink water 

Not just for your body anymore, your skin will also benefit from your consumption of at least half your body weight in ounces every day. Your body is comprised of between 60-80 percent water; your cells function more efficiently if they are well hydrated. All of the systems in the body function more efficiently if they are well hydrated; instead of picking up that cup of coffee or a can of soda to quench your thirst, fuel your body and your skin with what it truly needs to be well hydrated, clear and beautiful.

 

2. Apply your sunscreen 

Whether you are in the sun for fifteen minutes or fifteen hours, it pays to put on some sunscreen to protect your delicate skin from the sun. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays does damage to the skin, breaking down collagen and causing skin to take on the appearance of premature aging. In addition, those who spend periods of time in the sun unprotected by sunscreen are more likely to develop skin cancer. Find a good product with conditioners to nourish skin as it works to block out harmful UV rays that can sap your skin of its health.

 

3. Eat a healthy diet

As stated previously, your skin’s appearance is a reflection of what is going on internally inside your body—if you want glowing, healthy skin all over your body, you’ll need to improve your diet. Eating a variety of whole foods such as fresh produce, quality proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats will do wonders for your internal systems as well as your skin; you’ll be glowing with health!

 

4. Consider the use of beauty supplements

While we would like to think that all of our vitamin and mineral requirements can be met with a healthy diet, the fact of the matter is that our nutrient-sapped soil and production methods of food rob much of it of its natural vitamin and mineral content. We are not getting the daily requirements of either in the food that we eat. Consider the use of a hair and skin vitamin, or an overall vitamin and probiotic blend to improve your health and the health of your skin as well.

 

5. Cleanse before bed

Leaving impurities on your skin before retiring for the evening is a surefire way to develop fine lines and wrinkles prematurely. Dirt, oil, and other sediment settle into grooves in the skin, causing breakouts, irritation, and wrinkling. Resist the urge to pick at blemishes, as this may cause scarring and discoloration of the skin. Earl Hailey from PatchMD.com says that when you are tempted to pick at blemishes on your skin, stop and remember that the bacteria on your hands will most likely make the blemish worse. Part of any essential skin care routine is effective cleansing; get in the habit of cleansing your skin every night before retiring, and wake up to healthier happier skin in the morning.

 

6. Get enough sleep

Nothing ages us faster, body and complexion, more than missed nights of sleep. Whether you are up due to stress, having to meet deadlines at work, or other worries keeping you up at night, do what you can, to establish healthy sleep routines to improve your skin’s appearance and your overall health. Aim for 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night, and you’ll be on the right track for some true “beauty sleep”.

 

7. Manage your stress levels

Psychological and emotional stress take their toll on your entire body; while we cannot get away from stress in today’s busy world, we can do our part to manage our stress and improve our health. Doing breathing exercises, indulging in the use of aromatherapy and essential oils, and practicing meditation are all excellent ways to lower stress levels and reduce the aging impact of stress on your skin.

 

8. Use moisturiser

As we get older, our skin naturally dries out. Any time you cleanse, exfoliate, or use a toner, you are drying out your skin, and it needs a little boost to become balanced and hydrated once more. Opt for one that is nurturing to your specific type of skin, and don’t be afraid to moisturize your whole body; you have skin everywhere, and it deserves the royal treatment!

 

9. Keep your body moving 

How does this relate to skin health? When you exercise and move on a regular basis, your circulation improves. Blood flow under the skin is optimized, and your skin takes on a youthful, glowing appearance. Improved circulation also aids in detoxification all over the body, and this includes your skin. 30 minutes of moderate activity daily should do the trick for most people to feel and see results in their skin’s appearance.

 

10. Aim for natural skin care products

There are plenty of skin care regimens and other products that may cleanse and tone skin, but they do so with the use of harsh chemicals and additives that, over time, will actually harm your skin. Using botanical blends and natural ingredients will be the best course of action for healthy skin that is a beautiful well into your golden years. Look for products containing natural oils, herbal essences, and fruit essences for effective and natural cleansing that will leave your skin looking and feeling fresh and beautiful.

 

It may seem a bit overwhelming to ponder implementing all of these habits into your daily care routine in order to maintain your skin, but the proof is in the mirror. All of these habits are scientifically proven to improve the tone, texture, and appearance of your skin. You deserve to look and feel your best; prioritize your self care and begin implementing these habits to uncover your most beautiful, glowing skin!